Aim

The SPINSWITCH MCRTN project integrates the efforts of 15 leading European Groups including some from the New Member States and Associated Countries to explore the scientific foundation and the potential of the spin transfer effect, in particular for high frequency and ultrafast switching applications, and to train ESRs and ERs for the future scientific work force. SPINSWITCH will focus on a limited number of well-defined, specific, scientific tasks concerning fundamental understanding and to advance technical applications. A strong team-working approach will be used linking fundmental studies, modelling/theory, advanced characterisation and work on model structures for applications.Several fundamental device geometries will be explored using supply chains across the network inclucing film deposition, patterning, advanced characterisation as well as theory and modelling. Strong links to SIEMENS and THALES, industrial research laboratories, and to INESC-MN and IMEC, major applied research centres, will promote the work on devices and provide industrial guidance. Several partners have unique analytical techniques and capabilities of fundamental importance to the measurements of the new structures to be developed. SPINSWITCH will provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art scientific and complementary training for at least 17 network reseachers. Transfer of Knowledge will be given special emphasis: between the research centres, to researchers especially from the NMS and AC and to industry. A summer school held in Romania, a ToK workshop in Poland, a special course on entrepreneurship (supported by network 'linked' SMEs) and special training for members from the NMS are features of the SPINSWITCH RTN. The SPINSWITCH RTN will integrate 15 partners from 8 Member States and will provide at least 480 months of training for 10 ESRs and 7-9 ERs. SIEMENS and THALES will receive researchers for training assignments.

The SPINSWITCH RTN will have three primary, but inter-linked objectives:

Scientific: To investigate and use spin-transfer torque (STT) effects to extend and enhance the fundamental understanding of the new scientific domain of spin transport phenomena by combining the expertise of several leading European laboratories in the field of spin current induced magnetic phenomena, with emphasis on high frequency and ultrafast switching aspects. SPINSWITCH will focus a critical mass of resources and expertise on a limited number of well-defined, scientific tasks including modelling and theory.

Technical: To use the network's new insights in the basic understanding of the science to develop novel model structures for technical devices for applications such as MRAMs, magnetic sensors, magnetic logic and high frequency devices. Strong links to two leading industrial laboratories [SIE and TRT] and two major applied research centres [INESC-MN and IMEC] will underpin the work on devices whilst the unique analytical techniques and capabilities of several of the partners will be fundamental importance to the measurements of the properties of the new structures developed by the project.

Socio-economic: To bring together and integrate the research capabilities of 15 contractors from 6 Member States and 1 Associated State (8 universities, 5 institutes and 2 major industrial companies) in the field of spin transport phenomena. To provide comprehensive scientific and complementary training for at least 17 Researchers (a mixture of both ESR and ER will be hired) and to deliver at least 480 months of Researcher training. To transfer knowledge between the research centres, to researchers especially from the New Member States and Associated Countries and to industrial companies including the linked SMEs, by means of joint research, secondments, visits, workshops and targeted training sessions. To produce highly trained scientists and engineers to help meet Europe's need for skiled people to support investments in MRAMs, Advanced Logic, Sensors and Spintronics and to disseminate the results to the wider international scientific community.